COVID-19 and the local landscape of occupational therapy education: a case report about the voices of Cebuano occupational therapy educators and students

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many disruptions for countless individuals around the globe. In the Philippines, community quarantine was imposed to contain its spread. With occupational therapy education one of those greatly affected by the disruption, the voices of occupational therapy educators and occupational therapy students were essential in informing the actions needed to support the practice. This case report presents key themes that emerged from the online discussion, reflective journal entries, and a survey completed by faculty members and students. Findings reflect a health and safety concern by both educators and students. Also, as there is a shift to online classrooms, occupational therapy education programmes are presented with a need to brush up on efficient content delivery and assessment methods fit for the virtual context and its accessibility for all. More so, occupational therapy educators are also presented with the responsibility of supporting each other's mental health and those of their students.

Signature Pedagogies versus Trauma Informed Approaches: Thematic Analysis of Graduate Students’ Reflections

“…Firstly, it is important to actively recognize, as a first step of trauma-informed practice, that the emotional landscape of both faculty and students have shifted in the COVID-19 era (Barros-Lane et al, 2021; Carneiro et al, 2021). This shift may require self-reflection by stakeholders in clinical graduate training programs, to consider embedding approaches that support the mental health needs of the current college student population (Bulan & Lagria, 2020). Engaging in open conversations regarding university students’ mental health seems relevant and timely, given current need.…”

“…Students and faculty who are part of a clinical training programs describe their experience as exciting and rewarding, yet also labor-intensive and stressful (Tobin & Taff, 2020). Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic altered the college training experience for future health professionals (Bulan & Lagria, 2020). Though research continues to emerge on perceptions of college experiences mid-COVID-19, there is a lack of research studying specifically how students completing clinical training programs perceive trauma-informed approaches in higher education (Bulan & Lagria, 2020).…”

“…Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic altered the college training experience for future health professionals (Bulan & Lagria, 2020). Though research continues to emerge on perceptions of college experiences mid-COVID-19, there is a lack of research studying specifically how students completing clinical training programs perceive trauma-informed approaches in higher education (Bulan & Lagria, 2020). Therefore, this study aimed to discover, via analysis of ongoing written reflections and post-course anecdotal reflections, how graduate students in a clinical training program experienced an intentionally designed and implemented trauma-informed approach to college pedagogy.…”

A Qualitative Exploration on the Role of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Students in the University Setting in the Philippines

“…5 Moreover, students, were among those affected gravely by mental health issues. 1,6,7 The immediate closure of universities prompted teachers and students alike to abruptly shift or adapt to prevailing conditions. Numerous transitions changed the way how teachers and students engage in academic occupations and how they meet their occupational needs which negatively affected their mental health.…”

Lived experiences of Filipino occupational therapists amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the East Coast, USA: compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction

“…The pandemic brought numerous challenges and stressors in healthcare practice, some of which, but are not limited to, continuous stress, fatigue, and exposure to trauma. 4,5 These stressors can lead to compassion fatigue and may result in burnout if the former is not addressed well. 6,7 Based on a systematic review of healthcare workers globally, they experienced high levels of burnout and stress compared to the general population in the first year of the pandemic.…”